12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail held in Beijing, 2025

The 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing: A Platform for Innovation

From July 8 to 11, 2025, Beijing played host to the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, an event jointly organized by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (CR) and the International Union of Railways (UIC). With the theme "High-Speed Rail: Innovations and Development for a Better Life," this congress gathered over 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries and regions, including government officials, diplomats, corporate leaders, experts, and scholars.

The attendees highly praised the rapid advancement and remarkable achievements of China’s high-speed rail system in recent years. There was a strong consensus on key issues regarding the future of innovation and development in high-speed rail technology. The congress served as a vital global platform, showcasing the successes of high-speed rail, promoting technological exchanges, and fostering industrial collaboration.

With its extensive agenda, the event featured two roundtable discussions and 30 technical meetings, where over 200 industry experts shared their insights and innovations. More than 700 contributions from 27 countries enriched the discussions, introducing the latest ideas and new perspectives in rail technology.

Simultaneously, the MODERN RAILWAYS 2025 conference attracted 521 companies from 14 countries and regions, presenting a wealth of cutting-edge technologies and equipment. Notable innovations included intelligent railway infrastructure control using drones and the exhibition of thirty different train models, including the CR450 Fuxing electric trains and maglev trains. The exhibition housed over 30,000 categories of exhibits and welcomed more than 72,000 visitors, offering a glimpse into the future of high-speed rail technology.

During the congress, CR signed cooperation agreements with various railway groups from countries such as France, Spain, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Laos, and Malaysia. The agenda also included scientific events focused on railways, interactive fan engagement activities, and technical visits, promoting high-speed rail culture and establishing connections for mutual learning and cultural exchange.

China's high-speed rail network spans 48,000 kilometers, accounting for over 70% of the world’s total high-speed rail length and connecting 97% of cities with populations exceeding 500,000. The Fuxing EMU trains run commercially at speeds of up to 350 km/h, with more than 10,000 daily departures, carrying over 16 million passengers. In total, the number of trips completed by the EMU has surpassed 22.9 billion.

China has also taken a leading role in the development of all 13 international standards at the system level within the UIC, contributing its expertise and aiding in the global advancement of railway technologies. This congress not only showcased China's leadership in the high-speed rail sector but also served as an important venue for international collaboration and technological innovations in the rail industry.

In summary, the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing set a definitive stage for discussing innovations and developments that could lead to a better future for railway transportation globally.